Warning: Do Not Use IngramSpark to Publish Your Novel if You Live in Canada
Self-published authors often dream of seeing their books displayed on the shelves of independent bookstores. However, when I contacted my local Canadian bookstore about stocking my self-published young adult fantasy adventure book, I learned that I would have to shell out hundreds of my own dollars and make none of it back in return just to have my book on their shelves. The reason why? IngramSpark.
The Cost Barrier of Ingram Distribution in Canada
IngramSpark, being an American company, utilizes a distribution model that is not entirely compatible with the Canadian market. The primary issue lies in the cost structure associated with distributing books from Ingram to independent bookstores in Canada.
Currency Exchange Rates and Shipping Costs
When books are ordered through IngramSpark for distribution in Canada, the prices are often listed in US dollars. This becomes problematic due to fluctuating currency exchange rates. The conversion from US dollars to Canadian dollars can significantly impact the cost of the books for Canadian retailers. Additionally, shipping costs from the United States to Canada can be substantial, further increasing the overall expenses for independent bookstores.
Importation Fees and Taxes
In addition to currency exchange rates and shipping costs, independent bookstores in Canada must also consider importation fees and taxes associated with bringing books into the country. These additional expenses can further inflate the price of books distributed by Ingram, making them less attractive for independent bookstores with limited profit margins.
Exploring Alternatives for Independent Bookstore Distribution
As someone who has always dreamed of having my book available in my local bookstore, I was crushed. To order just 50 copies of my own book from Amazon, I would have to pay $540 CAD including shipping. And because the bookstore takes a 40% commission, there was no mathematical way I would ever make up the cost of 50 of those paperback novels without charging $30 a book.
I also wanted to do a book signing at the bookstore with those 50 books as my stock. But again, there was that 40% commission, and having put forth so much of my own capital, it just wasn’t financially feasible for me to even attempt to do a signing.
It simply wasn’t worth it.
But — I was lucky. My mom bought all 50 books, just so I could do a book signing. I won’t be able to do it again at a Canadian bookstore in the future, as long as I’m still self-published, but I’m deeply grateful that my family was able to provide this experience just once for me.
While the limitations with IngramSpark’s bookstore distribution in Canada may be disappointing for self-published authors, there are alternative strategies to explore to make self-published books available to Canadian readers.
Print-on-Demand Services in Canada
Exploring Canadian-based print-on-demand services can help reduce currency conversion costs, shipping expenses, and importation fees. Companies such as Amazon KDP, Lulu, Blurb, and also Ingram, will print your book on demand and ship it directly to consumers.
Direct Sales and Online Platforms
Authors can explore direct sales through their own websites or utilize online platforms like Amazon.ca, Kobo, or Chapters Indigo to make their books accessible to Canadian readers. By promoting their work through social media, author websites, and targeted advertising campaigns, authors can generate awareness and drive sales independently.
Purchasing Stock In Bulk
For many self-published authors, this simply isn’t an option. But if you have the funds, you can purchase a massive bulk order of your book (think 500–1000’s of copies) from services like BookBaby. Then, you could partner with independent bookstores and supply your own stock for them to purchase.
Print Your Own Stock
This is a ridiculously expensive solution, and again, not feasible for many self-published authors — but if you purchase an automated printing press from a company such as Canon, (which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars), you could act as your own publishing house and print your own works for distribution in independent bookstores.
Conclusion
The cost barrier associated with Ingram distribution in Canada poses a significant challenge for self-published authors seeking bookstore placement in the country. Understanding the impact of currency exchange rates, shipping costs, importation fees, and competition from local distributors is crucial. By exploring alternative options such as Canadian print-on-demand services, partnering with local distributors, and leveraging direct sales and online platforms, authors can navigate around these obstacles and increase their chances of making their books available in independent bookstores across Canada. While the road may be more challenging, with perseverance, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the Canadian market, self-published authors can find innovative ways to share their stories with Canadian readers and achieve their publishing goals.
